Unlocking the Power of Perspectives: Problem Solving with Clarity, Creativity, and Collaboration

The ability to work with multiple and diverse perspectives is a valuable skill set that enables creative problem-solving, fosters greater interpersonal connection, increases clarity and collaboration, and motivates groups. This highly interactive problem-solving course focuses on advanced leadership skills for holding and managing multiple perspectives simultaneously to leverage and unleash the creative potential of divergence in and across business to generate richer outcomes.

In the context of great change and uncertainty, we must show up differently as leaders. We must be great problem solvers. Creativity is a necessity. We must put ourselves in a position of constant learning. And we must be able to change and flex our point of view: not necessarily the way we see the world, but certainly the way we see ourselves.

This problem-solving course is taught by Aithan Shapira, an internationally acclaimed artist and MIT Sloan lecturer, and Wanda Orlikowski, Professor of Information Technologies and Organization Studies at MIT Sloan. Unlocking the Power of Perspectives is an immersive learning experience with the potential to substantially alter how you lead, listen, collaborate, negotiate, and connect with others.

Participants of this course will acquire

• Frameworks and methods to improve the quality and effectiveness of collaboration and problem-solving at your organization 
• A toolkit of corrective and self-reflective practices around listening and perspective taking.
• A deeper understanding of the thinking process that leads us from a fact to a decision or action
• Tools to suspend beliefs and judgments that block clear listening and an open mind
• Visual thinking strategies on how to draw out and harness perspectives to enable innovation and create value
• A broader set of skills to organize, communicate, and connect with others while engaging in change
• Clarity around your strengths and challenges as a leader

Upon successful completion of your course, you will earn a certificate of completion from the MIT Sloan School of Management. This course may also count toward MIT Sloan Executive Certificate requirements.

This critical thinking and problem-solving course is highly interactive—be prepared to participate and engage. You will work individually and in groups to better understand the value of different perspectives and how to incorporate those perspectives into your management and leadership styles. As you build rapport with your peers, you’ll complete challenges related to the tension of holding conflicting perspectives, starting at different reference points, and tracking and learning from healthy differentiation. Stepping outside the conventional business context, you will take inspiration from the work of jazz musicians to understand how to organize, communicate, and connect with others while engaging in change.

Faculty will share examples of highly successful leaders who changed and evolved their own leadership styles to enable their companies to survive disruption and thrive. You’ll learn how executives have transformed company culture and increased revenue simply by changing the way they listen and solve problems. 

The course also covers skills for visualizing and working in opposing perspectives. You will learn visual thinking strategies that can help you elicit and harness perspectives in ways that cultivate adaptability, creativity, and innovation. Because the better you are at shifting your mindset and approach and concentrating on relationships in the moment, without losing sight of your motivation, the more likely you are to steer your team toward success.